Last Minute Valentine’s Day Shopping in Brookside

Posted on February 14, 2013 by Mary Hutchison

OK guys, have you waited until the last-minute to pick up a gift for your sweetheart? I’ve got the answer: head to 63rd and Brookside, park the car and follow this plan. Bring a small shopping bag with you. You’ll have a personalized, wrapped gift in about 30 minutes!

*First stop is 5B&Co candlemakers. Pick out a small votive or jar candle with a special scent: perhaps cashmere or jasmine. (Better yet–call ahead and ask their friendly staff to pick out a few for you and have them ready to be picked up.) Take the free brown paper bag with you to use as your gift bag.

*Just around the corner, stop at Fiddly Fig. Chose one fresh flower–a stargazer lily, long stemmed rose. Wrap it up!

*Head west on 63rd to Stuff. Ask one of their knowledgeable staff people to help you pick out one or more of the following items: scented soap/lotion/earrings/necklace. If you don’t know your girl’s taste in jewelry, stick with the soap and lotion–although you can exchange items at Stuff. Stuff will gift wrap your items, and politely ask if the 5B candles can be wrapped as well.

You’re done! For extra points, if you have time and want to spend more, stop by Carmen’s Cafe or JULIAN for a gift card, and Berbiglia for a bottle of wine.

Enjoy your Valentine’s evening..and remember next year to shop ahead of time…

What’s Next for the Wal-Mart/Bingham Controversy

Posted on February 11, 2013 by Mary Hutchison

I’ve been following the Walmart-Bingham school controversy and decided to drive the area, examining for myself how this section of Waldo would be impacted by the increased traffic. There was a story recently in the Kansas City Star outlining some of the issues, but no photos! If you are like me, it helps to see pictures of the area to get a true perspective.

Bingham School in Waldo

Wal-Mart is proposing to purchase the school and turn it into a ‘neighborhood market’, open from 6am-midnight. Bingham school sits at 77th and Wyandotte, just south of the CVS Pharmacy and Planet Sub. Wornall Road is close to the west side of the property.

One of the major issues to deal with for any project moving into this location is the Trolley Track Trail: it runs between Wornall Road and the school property. The Kansas City Area Transportation Authority does not want the trail interrupted for a vehicle entrance. A proposed alternative for this problem is building a bridge for the trail that cars would drive under at 77th St. Awkward!

77th St and Wornall. A bridge here for Trail users??

Another issue of concern is 18 wheeler truck access for deliveries. The access road for these trucks is actually a private road. Again, it is so close to the always busy 75th and Wornall intersection. I can’t imagine 18 wheeler trucks trying to turn into the drive from 75th Street. It would be a very tight turn.

The blacktop private road behind the mnumnet is used for access to this shopping area--trucks would use it for deliveries to Wal-Mart.

The blacktop private road behind the monument is used for access to this shopping area–trucks would use it for deliveries to Wal-Mart.

Nothing is confirmed regarding Wal-Mart purchasing this site. There is a quite a bit of neighborhood opposition to the proposal. The final decision to sell (or not sell) the school site to Wal-Mart will be made by the Kansas City MO Public School board. There is a facebook page for those who object to this plan, http://waldoniansforwaldo.com. No more proposals for this site will be entertained unless a decision is made against the Wal-Mart plan.

(As I was researching this blog, I learned Wal-Mart may be interested in putting the grocery at 85th and Wornall in the current Price Chopper store. That makes the most sense –because it’s already a grocery store in a commercial development strip with plenty of parking and major road access. If that site was chosen by Wal-Mart, KCMO Public Schools would have to find another buyer for the Bingham school.)

A large, commercial grocery store is the wrong fit for the Bingham school site, primarily because of the access for the huge delivery trucks and disruption of our beloved Trolley Track Trail. Any business that moves into this location will bring more vehicles to the area. But I don’t want to see daily truck traffic trying to access this mostly residential area. I already avoid the intersection of 75th and Wornall–just too busy to navigate with no separate turn lanes. Can you imagine what it would be like with large heavy trucks in this area several times a day? What do you think?

GIRLS

Posted on February 4, 2013 by Mary Hutchison

Girls..no, this isn’t a blog about the popular HBO series GIRLS. It’s about teenage girls, specifically my daughter and all the emotional ground she travelled this past weekend.

Ed Sheeran

Any parent with a 15 year old daughter knows the extreme feelings and mood swings teenagers experience–often within a matter of minutes! My daughter had been looking forward to this past weekend for a long time: she and a good friend had tickets to the Ed Sheeran concert; she participated in a Project Runway type contest at school; and a teen friend she had met online was coming to KC with her dad, specifically for the concert.

There was drama: as parents, we were concerned about Siena meeting up with someone she had met online; she had “no idea what I’m wearing this weekend!”; there was homework and her dog-walking job to fit in..and this stress was all in the days leading up to the weekend. It started well: on Friday night she and her team won the ‘People’s Choice’ award for the fashion show–not the top prize but recognition from the audience. She was thrilled!

The winning outfit!

Saturday she met her friend Brittany, from Orlando, for the first time. They were so excited and happy, they started crying when they met! We met Brittany’s father, really liked him and soon he was inviting our family to Orlando this summer. The girls spent the day on the Plaza and the evening at our house–talking, laughing, singing and joking around, like they had known each other for years.

Sunday was the big day, the concert date had finally arrived. Brittany and her dad drove by the Midland Theater late morning and found a line forming to wait for entry–at 7pm! In a mad rush, the girls got their tickets and exchanged them for wristbands to ensure a timed entrance with no rushing and crushing of bodies. Still, they showed up early to wait in line before the show, in the cold, even though it wasn’t necessary. Once inside, their home-made poster for Ed was heckled and ripped, the ‘mean girls’ making fun of them. There was no time for Siena to get a souvenir as the lines were too long. The show was ‘fantastic’, as Ed bantered with the crowd and played up to his fans. Siena arrived home late, crying again because she had to say goodbye to Brittany–she said it was like ‘leaving your best friend’. It was a long time before she calmed down enough to get some sleep.

As parents, you try your best to create a stable, secure, loving environment for your kids. There may be occasional disagreements but most of the time, it’s a mellow place here at home. Watching Siena go through the extreme experiences she had this weekend was something I …envied, in a way. I remember the magic thrill of seeing a favorite performer in concert; the mind-meld excitement of meeting a new friend you instantly click with; the shocking realization that some people are so mean; the all-important peer recognition for a school (fashion!!) project you worked on with a team. All the emotions, high, low and in-between, are what make the teenage years so important, so fun. Every day, you step ahead, you stumble, you cry from joy and pain. You grow in all different directions, inside and out. You are loving life, in all its extremes.

4th Winter Film Festival Happening Now at Family Bicycles in Waldo

Posted on January 28, 2013 by Mary Hutchison

As I write this blog, it’s like Spring in Brookside– 73 degrees and sunny! I actually put some laundry on the line this afternoon to dry in the fresh air. This weather also brings out the bicycles, so I am reminding readers to support our locally owned Family Bicycles in Waldo.

Family Bicycles is having a special through March 15: bring in your bike for a complete overhaul and check up for $180, and receive a 30% discount on any needed parts and accessories. All work is done in the shop by qualified shop workers. Just like tuning up your HVAC or car every year, you should treat your bike with the same care and maintenance so it will last longer. Schedule your tune-up now, take advantage of the special and avoid the spring rush!

Family Bicycles in Waldo

Also want to mention the 4th Winter Film Festival is underway at Family Bicycles. (Their first film this year, Rushmore, is one of my favorite movies!). Tonight you can see Flashdance at 6:30pm, in the store at 7100 Wornall. Bring your own chair and lap blanket; Theresa (the owner) is providing snacks and beverages. Upcoming movies include Pee Wee’s Big Adventure on February 11, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid on February 25 and The Goonies on March 11.

Family Bicycles is at 7410 Wornall, and is open seven days a week. Thank you for supporting locally owned Brookside/Waldo businesses!

Brookside/Waldo Eateries Celebrating KC Restaurant Week

Posted on January 18, 2013 by Mary Hutchison

Kansas City Restaurant Week 2013

Is there a new local restaurant you’ve been wanting to try? This is the time to do it, during the 2013 Kansas City Restaurant Week, January 18-23. Created by the Kansas City Convention and Visitors Authority and the Greater Kansas City Restaurant association, this special ten-day event showcases our locally owned restaurants while supporting Harvesters-The Community Food Network at the same time.

Each participating restaurant offers a pre-sent lunch and/or dinner menu at a $15 and $30 price respectively. A portion of all profits goes to Harvesters. It’s the perfect opportunity to try a new spot while supporting the food bank and our locally owned businesses.

I’m listing Brookside/Waldo restaurants that are offering special pricing during Restaurant Week; I am not linking to individual websites because the best site to view the menus is www.kcrestaurantweek.com. Reservations are recommended; there’s a link to Open Table on most listings.

Such a simple pleasure, and a privilege, to dine out with friends! Make plans now to enjoy Restaurant Week, and thanks to our local Brookside/Waldo restaurants for participating:

Louie’s Wine Dive                     The Well
75th St Brewery                          Michael Forbes Grill
JULIAN                                          Lew’s Grill & Bar

You can also download the mobile app at VisitKC.com

Five Real Estate Trends For 2013

Posted on January 7, 2013 by Mary Hutchison

I’ve been thinking about writing on this topic for the past couple of weeks as I look ahead to 2013 business. As a real estate agent, I see some real trends emerging with clients. All real estate is local, and here are the five consistant features I hear buyers talk about on a regular basis:

1. Buyers want a home within walking distance of amenities. Younger couples and empty nesters are constantly telling me they want to be able to walk and/or bike to shops, restaurants, a grocery store and park area. Gas prices are rising; walking is a pleasurable exercise and having nearby, locally owned stores give a neighborhood a cozy, friendly vibe. Check the pricing: homes within an easy walking distance of services generally have a higher list price.

2. Empty nest buyers want two master suites on the main level. Retiring baby boomers are generally very active–they want to downsize from the current 3500 SF house to something smaller and more manageable. At the same time, these boomers have aging parents who do not want to live in typical senior independent or assisted living housing. By having two master suites on the main level, boomers can age in place and have their older parents (often in their 80s or 90s) also living in the home if necessary.

3. Buyers want nicely updated, well maintained homes. Today’s first time buyers are often spending thousands of dollars in their down payment just to get into a house; they don’t have an extra $10-20K to update the home’s interior or replace a roof, remodel a kitchen, etc. The same applies to downsizing boomers: they want to sell their current larger home and pay cash for the new, smaller home, with perhaps some leftover equity going towards decor or simple updates. A well-priced, nicely furnished and decorated home with newer mechanicals will always sell faster than one that needs a new roof, HVAC, bath remodel, etc.

4. Everyone wants an open floor plan in an older neighborhood. Older neighborhoods remain desirable because the homes tend to be well built with charming architectural details and close, easy access to services and amenities. However, most older homes are not ‘opened up’, with a large kitchen attached to a family room (like all suburban homes are). Those older homes that have been modified with a more spacious feel for an easy entertaining flow and oversized modern kitchen sell fast. Everybody congregates in the kitchen anyway, right?

5. Buyers want a backyard with room for a garden. The popular trend of growing your own vegetables, fruits and herbs won’t go away anytime soon. Having a bit of space in the yard for a few vegetable plants, berry bushes and an herb garden is a practical and enjoyable benefit to homeowners. You save on groceries and have a pretty , topical feature to compliment the home!

These are a few of the items on the ‘wish list’ of buyers I’ve been working with. If you are a buyer, do any of these features appeal to you? Your comments are welcome!

Reflecting Back on 2012 Clients–Grateful for New Friends!

Posted on January 2, 2013 by Mary Hutchison

Although we’re just into 2013, I want to take a few minutes to look back at 2012 from a business point of view. I’m proud to say that 2012 was my most successful year in real estate so far! I attribute that to my hard work and love of the job, a somewhat better economy, and motivated, educated clients who understand the current market we’re in.

As I look back on last year’s business, one of my favorite things to do is think about all the new fun friends I’ve made as a result of helping them buy or sell a home. Through many shared conversations about topics other than the business at hand, friendships have formed and will last long after the deal is done. It is by far the best benefit of being a real estate agent!

Pictured below are a few of the homes I’ve sold with a little bit of information about the owners, and what I appreciate about each of them:

Dave and Anna’s Armour Hills Gardens home

Dave and Anna bought their first home in Armour Hills Gardens almost a year ago. I knew when I saw this home pop on the market that it was a house they would like. Anna appreciates modern, clean design and it shows in her decorating. Dave is a musician on the side, and the finished basement is perfect for his hobby.

Carrie and Matt’s Brookside home

Matt and Carrie found me through the internet. They moved here with their 3 year old daughter from Detroit. They were not very familiar with Kansas City and fell in love with Brookside. Their larger home is perfect for visiting family and they love walking to Brookside shops and restaurants. Carrie and Matt are especially appreciative of their new friendly neighbors!

Matt and Leila’s Waldo home

Have you heard about the trend toward smaller homes? Matt and Leila bought this smaller home in Waldo because of the lower price, energy-saving features and walking distance to Waldo services. Matt recently finished an energy audit of his home and is installing even more upgrades to lower his monthly utility bills.

Lisa and Keith’s Leawood home

Lisa and Keith almost bought the wrong house. We searched for a long time and thought we had found ‘the one’ — but after careful consideration, they decided against it. I’m glad–I had a gut feeling it wasn’t the right house for them. Then this beautiful Leawood home came on the market and they snapped it up. It’s a house they plan to live in for many, many years, and a perfect house for raising a family.

Jim and Kelly’s home on Central

Jim and Kelly have lived in the Middle East, and I enjoy hearing stories about their world travels. Now they’ve settled in Kansas City as Jim accepted a job teaching at Rockhurst University and Kelly sells medical equipment. Jim bikes to work or takes his scooter. Kelly is taking full advantage of that welcoming front porch with warm, inviting decor!

Jeff and Diann’s home in Overland Park

I had kept in touch with Jeff and Diann for about two years before they finally made the move to Kansas City from Wichita. They bought a patio home in Overland Park close to the Town Center shopping area. Diann has done a fantastic job remodelling the kitchen/hearth room–I should write a blog on that transformation alone! Jeff was transferred to the local office of his law firm, and both are enjoying being closer to family in the area. Diann and I never seem to run out of things to talk about when we meet for lunch.

This blog would be way too long for me to list all of the other people I worked with in 2012. Charlie and Pim, Chris and Erin, Jeff and Michelle, Peter and Allison, Adam and Liana, Brandi and Anthony and so many more–all wonderful folks that I loved working with and look forward to staying in touch with as the years go on. And who are the new friends I’ll be blogging about in 2014 at this time? I’m looking forward to meeting you soon!

2012 Armour Hills Holiday Lighting Contest Winners!

Posted on December 23, 2012 by Mary Hutchison

It was a difficult task to single out just three homes for the annual Armour Hills Holiday Lighting contest this year! Mistie and I spent a couple of hours driving around the neighborhood, making notes, comparing homes. Thanks to everyone who participated–even if it was just a small string of lights, it makes our subdivision bright and festive!

Here are the winners of the contest:

First Place: 206 E 68 St, Luke and Allison Bauer

206 E 68 St

Second Place: 201 E Winthrope, Jason and Andrea Solarino

Third Place: 221 E 68 Terrace, Douglas Swink and Ryan Grove

221 E 68 Terrace

Tree Planting Project in Armour Hills

Posted on December 14, 2012 by Mary Hutchison

Fellow Armour Hills residents…and Brooksiders who enjoy our neighborhood–I wanted to write this short blog with an update on the tree planting and pruning project for our subdivision.

Armour Hills in Brookside

The $90,000 in PIAC funds we secured (thanks to Armour Hills board member Gunnar Hand), along with an additional $45,000 from the city of Kansas City MO (thank you City Forester Kevin LaPointe) will be used to kickstart this project. KCMO will prune all trees (NOT those on private property) starting from the north side of Gregory Blvd into Armour Hills as far as the budgeted money will allow. The City Forester will also work with our contractor Greg VanBooven to prune the smaller, juvenile trees at the same time.

Planting of new trees will bring in the spring of 2013, starting on the south side of 65th St, moving south until the funds are gone. This part of the plan will include a new tree in Arbor Villa Park along the Edgevale Road boundary close to the playground.

Note if there is a tree planted on the easement in front of your house, we will ask you to maintain the tree once it is planted by watering frequently so it can get established in it’s new home.

Watch for more information on the project in the Armour Hills Clarion and on our Facebook and website pages. Special thanks to board member Gunnar Hand for securing public funds for this project!

Donate Used Cellphones/Food Drive at Boozefish

Posted on November 25, 2012 by Mary Hutchison

My friend and client Maija owns and operates Boozefish Wine Bar in Westport–a casual, friendly, welcoming bar (also serving food) at 1511 Westport Road. Maija also makes a point to give back to the community that supports her small business–by collecting donations for two community service organizations in KC.

Neighbor 2Neighbor provides meals and other daily needs to the homeless and nearly homeless in the Westport area. Boxed and canned food donations are always needed.

Hope House provides shelter and other services for victims of domestic violence. They can utilize used cell phones for those women who use their services.

If you get a new cell phone as a gift–or plan on giving one–don’t just toss the old one in the trash. It’s easy to recycle through Hope House! And at the next grocery store run–spend an extra $10 or so to pick up some food for Neighbor2Neighbor. You can drop off the old cellphones and food items at Boozefish during November and December any Tuesday through Saturday evening. Maija will get your donation to the charities.

So many people get together over the holidays to have a drink, celebrate the season, catch up with old friends. Boozefish is a great bar for these occasions, offering a large wine selection, tasty food and a comfortable atmosphere where you can have a conversation without shouting! Think of Boozefish when looking for a place to meet for the evening–and bring in your used cellphones and some food items to help those less fortunate.

Inside Brookside (And Waldo)

What's Happening In Brookside and Waldo (Kansas City, Missouri)

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